5 players the Sixers should consider for second two-way contract

5 players the Sixers should consider for second two-way contract

With NBA free agency all but over and summer league play wrapped up, it’s time for teams to finalize their rosters and prepare for training camp in a few months.

For the Philadelphia 76ers, their initial 15-man roster is a nice mix of veteran leadership and elite young talent led by 22-year-old Ben Simmons and 24-year-old Joel Embiid.

With Jerryd Bayless likely to be traded or bought out, the Sixers will have almost completed their full 17-man roster (including two-way contracts) after officially re-signing Amir Johnson to a one-year deal.

The current roster includes two rookies in Zhaire Smith and Landry Shamet, missed the bulk of the Sixers’ summer league games with a right ankle sprain suffered in the opener against the Boston Celtics.

Additionally many forget about second-round pick Shake Milton who missed the entire summer league with a back injury. However, Milton recently signed a two-way contract, so he’ll be sticking around as well.

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As these two-way contracts continue to gain steam, allowing a G-League player 45 days with their NBA affiliate, the importance of the selection continues to rise.

After six Las Vegas Summer League games for Philly and a total of over a seventy-five combined throughout all teams, the consensus should be in. That said, let’s take a look at five players that the Sixers should consider with their second and final two-way contract.

Option No. 1: Christian Wood

(Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Christian Wood has already had one extensive ride with the Sixers. After being a late first-round projection, Wood’s stock significantly dropped, leaving him undrafted and searching for an NBA home.

Eventually, Wood signed with the Sixers before being sent to the then D-League, and then going from being recalled and waived, then finally reacquired but ultimately not re-signed. However, Wood was dominant this past summer league and should draw attention from multiple teams.

In the Milwaukee Bucks’ first summer league game, Wood dropped 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting. He also pulled down 11 rebounds en route to a 27-point victory.

With a double-double the ensuing game and then a 16-point performance following that, Wood has shown more than enough to earn a roster spot.

With a loaded frontcourt and a point guard with the other two-way contract, signing a player like Wood in case (knock on wood) Embiid gets hurt could be Philly’s best move.

Last season, Wood averaged 23.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game in 45 games with the Delaware 87ers.

Additionally, Wood showcased his skillset to the entire Sixers coaching staff when he dropped 27 points and 12 rebounds in the Sixers-Bucks summer league tournament game. Although the Sixers eliminated the Bucks, Wood might have been the game’s most impressive player.